List of Valid and Acceptable Photo Identification (IDs) in the Philippines

A valid photo identification (ID) card is needed and required whenever we do transactions, such as sending and receiving money at Western Union and other money transfer agencies, opening a savings or checking account at different banks, doing other financial transactions with banks and non-banks financial institutions, getting a passport, checking in at the airport, and transacting with other government and private agencies. An ID card helps us to enter into transactions, as well as entering premises like schools and offices. It also represents our “Identification” which we can keep in our wallet. Thus, it is best for everyone to secure and keep a valid ID. The following is a list of current valid and acceptable photo identification (IDs) in the Philippines based on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 706 (Updated Anti-Money Laundering Rules and Regulations).

Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) certification

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID

Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP, SEC or IC.

Valid photo-bearing school ID duly signed by the principal or head of the school (for non-voting/minor age students).

Similar IDs duly issued by the foreign government where the customer is a resident or a citizen may be presented (for non-Philippine resident).

The BSP circular also made it to require the presentation of the original and submit a clear copy of only at least one of the valid ID above instead of the previous requirement of 2 valid IDs for people who will engage in a financial transaction for the first time with financial institutions, such as banks, Offshore banking units, quasi-banks, trust entities, non-stock savings and loan associations, pawnshops, foreign exchange dealers, money changers, remittance agents, electronic money issuers and other financial institutions which under special laws are subject to BSP supervision and/or regulation. This is in order to promote access of Filipinos to services offered by formal financial institutions, particularly those residing in the remote areas, as well as to encourage and facilitate remittances of OFWs through the banking system.

Victorino Abrugar is a business consultant, blogger, speaker and entrepreneur. He's the founder of Optixor, Inc., a digital marketing company based in the Philippines. Follow him on Twitter at @viclogic.

Comments

i used my school ID in picking up the money in 1 western union station here in our province.but they don’t accept my ID because it’s out of school days now(summer vacation),,but i don’t have any other valid ID’s to use,,,but the other station,still accept my ID for the transaction,,is your establishment have different rules and regulations for sending and receiving money???

Hi Sir Aril.As far as I know, Western Union will accept the student ID but has a maximum amount of 3000 only if exceeded it will not accepted anymore. If the student was already 18years old and above you need to present a Valid ID issued by the Government as their SOP for Government Compliance.

Thank you sir for this article. Just ysterday I presented my BIR TIN ID to an agency (Prime asia-in San Francisco,Camotes Island ) of Western Union and they turned down the release of my money transfer because of what they claim as a memo in their agency no longer accepting BIR TIN ID if the amount claimed is over P500. This deprived me to access to my money and I would have to go to mainland Cebu just to get the money. Do they have a right to do that to customers of Western union?

the western union should let the student i.d at any age, because you can verify it by getting the registration form of the student, so there you can verify if its valid or not, i’m still a student at age 25, the school i.d is only my valid i.d for now, western union should let me use that, its only commonsense to your company,if you want your customers to be loyal to you, you should change your policy at school i.d… such a big disturbance for us

im a minor my age is 16 and im a student the teller in western union told me that I cant able to receive a money which is came from my grandmother in states they told me that possible of two (2) valid id but im not capable to have those id that they required I have only one (1) student valid id how can I get the money which is I very important to receive I need that to my regular check-up…plss inform me immediately ,,tnx

Hi Sir Aril.As far as I know, Western Union will accept the student ID but has a maximum amount of 3000 only if exceeded it will not accepted anymore. If the student was already 18years old and above you need to present a Valid ID issued by the Government as their SOP for Government Compliance.

When I get the money in western union in manila they accepted my xerox passport coppy,but when I presented it again in Baguio city they didnot accept…it is my only way to take the money because I lost my wallet and my valid ids were there

I went to a Western Union here in Pasay City. They dont accepted my BIR TIN ID,even my POLICE ID W/ CLEARANCE due to should be updated in 6months, but Police Clearance is valid for 1year. I only have my Company ID but still they want 2,valid ID. Our money is valid for 45 days only and it will be forfitted if will take longer.

Hey can i use my company i.d to reviece a money in western union? I dont have any valid i.d to use my nbi has already expired and the only i.d i have is my companoy i.d ..
Please western i need your answer now.
Thank you in advance

Please change your policy if you want your costumers be loyal to your company,even me they didnt accept my voters certificate and school i.d.almost every week i get money to you western union.but now i was so dissappointed.thank u